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Mental Discomfort

Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 03-27-2026 Various mental health disorders/ issues require us to do the exact opposite of what we want to do, because we have the disorder. This is the strain of mental health. It isn’t rainbows and butterflies, rather, it’s pushing people to sit in discomfort, or to do the very things thatContinue reading “Mental Discomfort”

CPAP Sleep

Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 3-17-2026 For the past couple of years, my family and friends have been urging me to get another sleep study. I procrastinated because I wanted to stay in denial. I did not want to learn that I have sleep apnea and will be required to wear a CPAP for the restContinue reading “CPAP Sleep”

Surrender

Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 03-01-2026 At least once a month I receive another burnt out client with a goal to increase their productivity. This is obviously counter productive, but they are in denial. Some of the work ahead includes helping them learn to accept and surrender to their new reality. The reality being that theyContinue reading “Surrender”

CPTSD & Internalized Beliefs

Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 01-23-2026 Complex trauma in childhood tends to lead to internalized concrete beliefs that can rule our emotions, thought patterns and even our behaviors. Childhood traumas can include physical, mental, verbal, financial, sexual abuse, abandonment, neglect and or bullying. Below is an example of some of these concrete beliefs and how theyContinue reading “CPTSD & Internalized Beliefs”

Mental Punishments

Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 12-27-2025 Mental disorders are finally getting some recognition and empathy, but there is still a long way to go with educating our general public. One topic that is rarely highlighted, is how our mental illnesses can bleed onto other people. People do not choose to have mental disorders, it’s an unfortunateContinue reading “Mental Punishments”

Never Thankful

Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 11-27-2025 “You walk through life while a rain storm follows. And all the while, people talk to you about the sun, as if you can feel it.” I want to be more satisfied. With the world, with other people, and with myself. Trauma and depression were my greatest barriers. But, itContinue reading “Never Thankful”

PTSD & Minimization

Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 11-07-2025 I learned early on in my career that I cannot ask someone “Have you experienced any traumatic events?” Why? Because I had to recognize that if I want the truth, I need to be specific so that the client cannot minimize or deny what they have been through. They don’tContinue reading “PTSD & Minimization”

Interventions for Attachment Anxiety

Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 10-13-2025 “Your loneliness will teach you why you settled.” -EaE Lately, I have been discussing attachment anxiety with a good amount of my patients. This topic requires in depth processing and unpacking various root causes. Many people with attachment anxiety are victims of childhood wounds and unhealthy social teachings. Their neglectContinue reading “Interventions for Attachment Anxiety”

Disorganized Attachment

Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 10-04-2025 It’s human nature to seek love, because it is a developmental, physiological, mental, and emotional need. But what happens when this need is met with both love and chaos? Love with abuse? Love with betrayal? Love with confusion? People might develop the pattern of seeking love while fearing it. TheyContinue reading “Disorganized Attachment”

Grappling through Life

Interviewer: Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ BJJ Purple belt Interviewee: Joshua Murdock/ BJJ Black belt/ Pedigo Submission Fighting–Daisy Fresh Team-Mt Vernon, IL/ Bronze Medalist ADCC Open & Master Worlds IBJJF The Brazilian jiu jitsu circle is small. Chances are if I do not know a BJJ athlete, I at least know someone who knows them. IfContinue reading “Grappling through Life”